'What are you scared of?' Sturgeon asks May over TV debate

Nicola Sturgeon has backed calls for a televised Brexit debate, asking Theresa May "what are you scared of?".

The First Minister's comment came after May rejected calls for leaders of other political parties to join the two main UK party leaders in a televised debate.

Sturgeon said she would speak against leaving the EU.

"The danger is a debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn is simply a debate between two versions of Brexit which are only really different around the margins," she said.

"I don't think that would do justice to the seriousness of the argument and do justice to what the public would expect from a debate. I think all voices and all options should be heard.

"To Theresa May I would simply say 'what are you scared of, allowing people advocating these different options to take part in the debate?'

"If you're confident in your position there should be nothing in that that worries you."

Brexiteer Boris Johnson also challenged May over the debate, saying there was "no point" in her to going head-to-head with Jeremy Corbyn.

He tweeted: "There is no point having a debate with two people who voted Remain and deals that don't take back control.

"Any debate must involve someone who believes in Brexit and the British people being fully in control of their laws, rather than giving back control to the EU like the PM's deal."

However, he did not put himself forward for the debate.

Speaking to reporters in Wales on Tuesday, May said that she and the Labour leader represented almost 90% of MPs in the Commons.

"Of course I am going to be debating in the House of Commons with all parties on the issue of the Brexit deal," she said.

"Jeremy Corbyn and I are leaders of parties that cover getting on for 90% of all MPs in the House of Commons.

"This is a really important moment for our country.

"I have a clear deal that I believe is in the interests of the UK and I think it is right for people to hear what Jeremy Corbyn's views are as those have been a little uncertain recently about exactly where he stands."

The Prime Minister laughed when she was asked whether she thought she could win a ratings battle with I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! after it was reported a debate could clash with the finale of the jungle-based reality television programme.

She said: "Nothing has been settled in terms of when the debate will take place but I think this is an important moment for our country and it is right that we treat it with the seriousness it deserves."

Asked whether she had considered holding a Bushtucker Trial instead, May replied: "I think this is an issue on which we want to debate the questions of our future.

"It's about people's jobs and about their livelihoods and I think they would expect us to do this seriously."

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